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08 February 2009

Iodine and The Origins of Human Diet and Brain

In his thorough review of the Paleolithic origins of the human diet, Cordain et al may have missed iodine and its role, according to Stephen Cunnane (1;2). Cunnane writes that “1 of the 2 nutrients (the other is iron)” that modern humans most often find themselves deficient in is iodine.

Cunnane suggests that shore-based food may have been part of the diet of early humans because otherwise iodine and other “brain-selective nutrients” such as docosahexaenoic acid and iron may not have allowed the human brain to evolve at all (2).

Anthropologists appear to be in agreement with Cunnane that the coastline may have been a critical point in the human story. One of the oldest-known human stone tool sites, in fact, was found in what would have been a coastal environment 125,000 years ago in eastern Africa (3).

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About Me

I'm a science and health writer based in the Gilbert, Ariz., with a passion for good food combined with a good story. My background is in science communications with a master's of science degree in human nutrition and a bachelor's of arts degree in English. I've written for a variety of publications including Scientific American, Outside Online, the American Society for Nutrition's Nutrition Notes Daily, and the Institute of Food Technologists' Food Technology print magazine. I'm an active member of several respected organizations including the National Association of Science Writers and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. I'm also interested in wildlife conservation and am a member of the National Audubon Society and the American Society of Naturalists.